Typewriter desk



Nov. 14, 1944.

W. J. BARGEN TYPEWRITER DESK Filed March 26, 194s 6 Sheets-Sheet. 2

w. J. BARGEN TYPEwRHER DESK Npv. 14, 1944.

6 sheets-sheet 3 Filed March 25, 1945 TYPEWRITER DESK Filed March 26, 1943 e sheets-sheet 4 Nov. 14, 1944. w. J. BARGEN 2,362,877

TYPEWRTER DESK Filed March 26, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 l Nov. -l4, 1944.

w. J. BARGEN 2,362,877

TYPEWRIYTER DESK Fild March 26, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 6- `Patented Nov. 14, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v TYPEWRI'rEI'tKDEsKjf -VWilliam J. Bat'gen,-Waukegan, Ill. l K e Application Mai-oh 26, 1943,v seriali N.- $0,691,

10 claims. (Cima-jes) This invention relatesto typewriter desks. f An object of this invention is to vprovide a desk embodying a typewriter well and a hinged top Vwherein the supporting base'for the typewriter will provide a horizontal shelf when the type- A further object of .this invention is to provide in-a desk an improved typewriter supporting means which will permit swinging the machine through an arc of 18:0 degrees, and which will provide ample leg room so that the knees lof-the 'operator will not contact the typewriter well at any time. Y l

A further object of this invention'is to .provide in a desk of this kind an improved, supporting structure embodying alswingable base board vand means whereby thepivot means is in a disengaged position when the typewriter is in an operative position so that the vibrations of thetype- Writer when in use will not wear or otherwise Vinjure the pvot means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a typewriter desk embodying a minimum of metal which can be sturdilyconstructed and will Lpro- `vide a multi-purpose desk that is capableof supporting not` only a typewriter, but alsogy another office machine, such as an adding vmachine,*a calculating machine or the like, with the type- -writer concealed in the well, 'and alsocapable of use as a conventional deskwth a storage space beneath the hinged top. n l' i A further object of this invention is to provide afdesk of this kind inl which the top and thehorii zontal stationary shelf are extended forwardly --from the front of the desk so that Vthe user can readily position his or her limbs therebeneathin a manner to prevent strikingthe well or to properly focus the material supported bythe copy holder carried by the lower side of the front section of the hinged top when the front.` section is in raised position.

To the foregoing objects and-to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement ofparts'as will be morespecically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodimentzjof the invention, but it is to be understood that changes,

`board supporting rails or guides.

'in a' rear upper rail 34; 'rear panel 32 is mountedl in an upwardly opening variations and modications may beresorted to which fall within'the scope of the invention asclaimed f n v Figure 1 -is `a vertical section partly broken away of a typewriter desk constructed according to an embodiment of this invention.

- Figure' 2 is-,a' fragmentary sectional view simkon the line 4-4 of Figure 3. y f Figure 5 is ay fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of. Figure 4.y f

Figure 6 is apsidefelevation of one of the base -Figure 7 .is a vertical sectional view of a modied form Aof a typewriter. desk.

Figure 8 is'afragmentary vertical section of the desk with theiltopin open position and the typewriter suspended within the well.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9'of Figure 7. 1

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line Figure 11 is a sectional View taken on the line ll-II of Figure 8. l

Figure 12 is a sectional-view taken on the line y|2-I2 of Figure 7. l

Figure 13 is a bottom plan of the front section ywhich engages in Vertical grooves 22 and 23 `formedin front and rear supporting legs 24 and 25 respectively.'y `The side 'panel 2l is also secured in a channelled horizontal lower rail 26 which'is -secured between thefront and rear legs 24 and 25 at a point upwardly from the lower ends of the. latter.` The side wall H `comprises a vertical ypanel -21 which iszsecured in confronting grooves 28 and 29 formed ina second pair of supporting legs 3l) and 3|. The lower edge of the side panel 2l is also secured in a horizontal rail similar to the rail 26. The rear wall I8 comprises a rear vertical panel 32 which'is mounted at its upper edge in a downwardly'opening groove 33 formed The lower end of lthe groove 35 formed in a lower rear rail 36. opposite ends of the rails 34 and 35 are mortised in the adjacent faces of the rear posts and 3 I. The opposite vertical edges of the rear panel 32 are secured in confronting vertical grooves 31 and 38 which are formed in the inner sides of the legs 25 and 3| respectively. The side wall I6 includes a forwardly extending wall portion 39 extending from the forward side of the front leg 24, and the side wall I1 includes a forwardly ex'- tending wall portion 40 secured to the forward side of the front leg 3 I.

The horizontally disposed wall or shelf I9 has its forward edge flush with the forward .edgesv of the wall extensions 39 and 4U, and the rear portion of the horizontal wall I 9 extends inwardlv and rearwardly of the front legs 24 and 30. A typewriter well generally designated as 4I is disposed between the side walls I6 and I1 and," as

shown in Figure 1, includes a horizontal side portion 42 which is secured at its longitudinal sides to the inner sides of the side walls I8 and I1, and is secured at its rear end to the rear wall `I8. The well 4I includes a vertical wall 43 extending upwardly from the forward end of the horizontal well wall 42 and secured at its upper end to the rear portion of the horizontal upper wall I9. The well member 4I` forms a typewriter chamber 44 opening upwardly within which a typewriter is adapted to be suspendingly mounted.

A typewriter base board 45 is loosely disposed between the side walls I6 and I1, and is provided between the front and rear edges thereof with oppositely extending trunnions or pivot members 46 and 41. These trunnions 46- and 41 are disposed in such a position with'respect to the length of the base board 45 as to substantially balance the typewriter T between the side walls I6 and I1. In order to provide a. means whereby the base board 45-may be horizontally shifted from an operative position overlying the horizontal wall I9 to a horizontal inoperative position rearwardly of the wall I9', which latter position is shown in Figure 2, I have provided a pair of guide rails 48 and 49 which are secured to the inner sides of the walls I 6 and I1. The rails 48 and 49 are of like construction, and each includes an elongated strip of wood which is formed with an elongated slot or channel 50. 'I'he rails 48 and 49 are of like construction, and each includes an elongated strip of wood which is formed with an elongated slot or channel 50. The rails 48 and 49 are secured to the side walls of the desk by fastening members 5I or other suitable securing means. The lower wall 52 of the channel or'guide slot 50 is disposed horizontally and above the horizontal plane of the top of the wall I9 as shown more clearly in Figure 4. The upper wall 53 of the slot 50 is narrower at a point rearwardly of the wall I9 than at the forward portion 54 thereof. The forward portion 54 is upwardly offset from the confronting lower'side 52, so as to provide a wider forward channel portion within which the trunnions 46 and 41 are adapted to be releasably disposed. In other words, when the trunnions 46 and 4'1 are in the forward enlarged portion 54 of the guidechannel or slot 5D, the trunnions 48 and 41 will be disposed out of engagement with the upper and lower sides of the slot.

The board 45 is supported above the wall I9 with the trunnions 46 and 41 disengaged from the walls of the guide slot 50 by means of a pair of narrow board supporting rails or strips 55 and 56. The rails 55 and 56 are formed with rounded The l rear end portions 51 terminating at the rear end of the horizontal wall I9. The lower side of the base board 45 is formed with opposed downwardly opening slots 58, which are disposed in pairs, and upwardly extending base board adjusting strips or flanges 59 are secured to the upper side of the horizontal wall I9 at the forward edge thereof. The outer ends of the board adjusting strips 59 abut against vertical flanges 66 and 6I which are secured to the inner sides of the side wall extensions 39 and 4I] respectively. The flanges or adjusting members 59 extend slightly above the supporting rails 55 so that when the board is in a horizontal forward operative position, the board 45 may be engaged with the flanges 59 and the latter engaging in selective pairs of notches 58, so as to support the base board 45`in horizontally disposed extended position. The slot or passage 5D of the base board supporting rails communicates at its forward end with an upwardly opening slot 62 so that the base board 45 may be withdrawn from between the sides of the desk, the slots 62 permitting Vertical movement of the trunnions 46 and 41 to thereby release the base board 45.

The typewriter T when in an inoperative position is adapted to be positioned in the 4chamber 44, and at this time the base board 45 is in an inverted position, vas shown in Figure 2. The lower wall or side 52 of the guide slot 50 is formed with' a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart shallow recesses 63 within a pair of which the trunnions 46 and 41 are adapted to engage. The rails 48 and 49 are formed with openings 64 between the recesses 63, the rearmost opening 64 being rearwardly of the last recess 63. A headed stop pin 65 is adapted toloosely engage in selected ones of the openings 64 so that the base board 45 can not be moved rearwardly beyond a predetermined position. This predetermined position will depend on the lengthl of the board 45, and the position of the typewriter T on this board. The free end of the board 45, when the latter is in an inoperative position, is supported `byr means of a pair of board supporting blocks 66 and 61. The blocks 66 and 61 are secured to the side walls I6 and I1 respectively, and also to the rear wall I 8. When the base board 45 is in a horizontal inoperative position, as shown in Figure 2, the lower surface which is at this time uppermost, will be in a position slightly offset upwardly from the upper side of the horizontal vwall I9 and will provide an extension for the wall I9 in order to support any desired articles beneath the. top 20.

The side walls I6 and I1 also include upper rails 68 which are grooved in their lower edges for receiving the upper edges of the side panels and the opposite ends of the rails 68 are mortised into the front and rear legs of the body I5. The upper edges of the rails 68 are flush with the upper ends of the front and rear legs and the upper edges of the side wall extensions 39 and 40.

yThe top 20 comprises a rear section 69 which is hinged as at 10 to the upper rail 34 of the rear wall I8. The rear section 69 has secured to the rear portion thereof an upstanding rail 1I, which provides a means whereby any loose papers positioned on the top 20 will not slide off from the top when the latter is raised. Thetop 2U also includes a front section 12 which is hinged as at 13 to the forward edge of the rear section 69. The front section 12 is adapted to be supported in an upraised position as follows: A pair of `forwardly extending strips 14 are secured to the lower side of the rear section 69 and extendforwardly from the forward edge thereof. The strips 14 have secured to their forward ends right-angularly disposed pins which loosely engage in an arcuate slot`15 formed in a block 11. The block 11-is' secured to the lower side yof thek front section '112 and has a portionthereof extending rearwardly ofthe rear edge of this front section. There are two of these blocks 11 disposed infparallel relation and positioned vat the rear portion4 ofy the lfrontsection 12. When the front section' 12 is in 'upraised position, it constitutes a copy-holder, being inclined upwardly; and rearwardly. An shaped rail 18 is'secured to the lower sideof the frontsection 12 at a point adjacent the rear edge l ofthis front section,.and is adapted "to provide a1 seat vfor papers or other material engaging the lower face of the front section 12; The L-shaped rail or bracket 18 is disposed between the @two arcuatelyslotted blocks 11. g The top 29 is adapted to be substantiallyvbalthereof horizontally disposed rails 92 and 93 respectively.' `These supporting rails are of like construction and are each provided with a, pluralityfof upwardly opening slots or notches 94 adjacent the rear portion of the horizontal wall |9a.

'and 41a will be out of engagement with the bottoms of the selected pairs of notches 94. A pair of inwardly extending strips or flanges 59a similar l to flanges 59 are secured to the upper side of the horizontal wall I9a adjacent the forward end thereof and vertical flanges 60a are secured to thel inner sides of extensions 39a and 49a forming part of the side walls Ilia and I 1a respectively.

anced and held in an upraised.position,`similar to y,

the position shown in Figure 2, by means of a spring-pressed balancing structure 19, -Thedetails of thebalancing structurev 19 are set forth f more clearly in my co-pendingy application, Serial No. 471,592, filed on January 7, '1943, for a Typewriter desk. In general, the balancing structure V19.includes a link 80 pivotally mounted as at 9| on a supporting plate 82 which is fixed by fasten- #maintaining the top 20 in an upraised position which is the positionfshown in Figure 2." In the upraised position of the rear section (i9,l the base E board' 45 may readily pivotupwardly and rearwardly or upwardly and forwardly as maybe desired.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 13 inclusive,l there When the base board 45a is in an operative position, which is the position shown in Figure '1, the

ing members 83 to a side wall of the desk. fThe is disclosed a modified form of the desk, the modication relating particularly to `the supporting means for the base board of the typewriter. Inv

this' modified form, there is disclosed a desky l5a which is similar in every" detail to the desk I5,

being provided with a typewriter well 41dA of L-` shaped conguration which extends downwardly and rearwardly from a horizontal upper wall I9a. A sectional top 20a, similar in everydetail to the 4top 2U, is pivotally secured to the rear wall Ia and includes a rear top section `59a and a front top. section 12a. substantially balanced in an upraised position by means of a balancing structure 19a, and the front Isection 12a is heldin an upraised copying position by means of bars 14a having pins 15a engaging in the arcuatek slots 16a of the blocks 11a. The rear of the top 20a is also formed with an upstanding rail 1|a for' preventing loose papers 'or'other articles from sliding oivof the top 29a, particularly when this top is in a raised position.

A typewriter base board 45a is disposed between the side walls ofthe desk or body l'a, and is pro-- 'vided at the rear portion thereof withoppositely and outwardly extending trunnions or pivot members 46a and 41a. The sidewalls Ilia and 11a of ythe body ISa'havefsecured -to the inner sides The top 29a is adapted to bev trunnions 46a and 41a may beengaged with any selected pair of the notches 94. f However,` when it is desired to revert or reverse the position ofl the base board 45 to an inoperative position, closing the opening upper side of the well 4| a, the base board 45a is shifted rearwardly in a substantially horizontal plane to position the trunnions 46a and 41a in the rearmost pair of notches 94. The `base board 45a, after the top 29a has been raised to the position shown in Figure 8, may then `be swung upwardly, rearwardly ,and downwardly to a horizontal inoperative position. In the inoperative position, .the typewriter T will be suspended in an inverted position in the chamber 44a ofthe zwell 4la, and the free end of the board 45a which is now rearmost will engage a pair of b ase board supporting blocks 55a and 61a. In the use of the desk shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive,` the typewriter T is'secured to the base board I9 in a position whereby the typewriter andbaseboard arefonly slightly overbalanced'to the forward end of the board 45. In this manner, the typewriter T will remain in a'horizontal 'operative position `and will not accidentally tilt rearwardly. The board 45 may be moved forwardly with the flanges 59 engaging in selected pairs -of recesses V58. At-this time, the bottom side Iof the board 45 is resting on the suppor-ting rails'55 and 56 and the trunions'48 and 41 are loosely disposed in the forward enlarged portion -54of theslots 50 of the guide railsv 48 and 49. When it is desired to shift the typewriter to lan inoperative position, the top 29 is raised to the :position shown in Figure 2, being held in the upraisedY position by the balancing structure 19. The base board 45 is then moved rearwardly in a horizontal plane, the trunnions 46 and 41 dropping off ofthe rear ends of the supporting rails 5b and 56 andengaging the horizontal bottom wall 52 of the slots 59. The board 45 is moved rearwardly until the trunnions engage in selected recesses 63 forwardly of theposition of the stop pins 65. The base board 45 may then be pivoted upwardly, rearwardly and downwardly to the position shown in- Figure 2 and with the now rear .edge of the top 45 restingon the supporting blocks 6B ,and 61. At thistimethe typewriter is in an inoperative position and suspended within the chamber 44. The lower side or face of the base board 45 is now uppermost and slightly upwardly offset from the upper side of the horizontal wall |9 and constitutes an extension of the wall i9.

If' desired, anotherv instrument such as va. calculator, adding machine, or the-like'maylie-placed on the horizontal wall l9 with` the top 2l) in'` a. raised position, as'sl'rownA in Figure 1. The structure hereinbefore described may be used-k as a desk with the typewriter concealed by lowering the top 29 so that the two sections B9 and 'l2 thereof will be horizontal. In` this position of the top 20, the wall I9` and the invertedbase board 45- form a chamber ibelow the top 20 which isopeny at thev front end which may receive any desi-red articles.

The structure shown in Figures 7 to 13 inclusive operates similar toi the structure shown in Figures 1 to 6 with `the exception that the base board. 45a is normally positioned with lthe trunnions 46a and 41a. in the rearmost pair of notches 94. The base board 45a may be shifted forwardly to position the typewriter in a forwardly extended position by' raising the rear of the lboard 45a and shifting the trunnions 46a and 41a to the desired pair of notches 94. When it is desired towconceal the typowritenthe top 20a is raised to the position shown in Figure 8 and the board 45a is shifted rearwardly to position the trunnions 46a and 41a in the rearmost pai-r of notches 94. The board 45a may now be swung upwardly, rearwardly and downwardly into an inverted horizontal .position as shown in Figure 8,' with the free end of the boa-rd 45a resting on the supporting blocks 66a and 61a. In this inverted` inoperative position of the yboard 45, it will be slightly offset upwardly from the upper side of the horizontal wallv I9a and will constitute an extension of the .wall 19a for the purpose of supporting the desired articles thereupon. l

This desk has been designed particularly for construction out of wood, there being a minimum amount of metal therein, lthis metal constituting for the most part the balancing members 19 and 19a together with the hinges. This desk provides a multi-purpose desk which may be used lby a typist or clerk, and is so constituted, by reason of the forward extension of the top Vand the side walls together with the forward extension of the horizontal upper wall, that the typist will not contact with the typewriter well when the typewriter is either in an operative or an inoperative position. It is well known that typewriter desks ernbodying the use of base boards, which in the concealed position of the typewriter are inclined, are not readily usable by typists or clerks because of the fact that the inclined base lboard limits the positioning of the users limbs beneath the desk. With the desks hereinbefore described, the typewriter well is shallow of construction and, therefore, high enough from the iloor and rearwardly enough from the front edge of the desk to prevent contact of the users knees with the well.

What is claimed is:

1.' A desk comprising a body formed of opposite side walls, a rear wall, a top hinged to said rear wall` a horizontal wall secured between said side walls adjacent the upper portions thereof and projecting forwardly of said side Walls, an upwardly opening typewriter `well between said side walls, said Well having one side horizontal and secured to said rear wall andthe other side thereof vertical and secured to the rear portion of said horizontal. wall, a base board for attachment .to a typewriter, horizontal guide means carried by said side walls slidably supporting said base board, and correlated means carried partly lby said board and said guide means whereby said base board' col may be swung to an inverted position above said well.

2. A desk comprising a body formed of opposite side walls, a rear wall, a top hinged to said rear wall, a horizontal wall secured between said side walls adjacent the upper portions thereof and projecting` forwardly of said side walls, an upwardly opening type-writer well between said side walls, said well having one side horizontal and securedto said rear wall. and the other side thereof Verticaly and secured to the rear `portieri of said horizontal wall, a base board for attachment to a typewriter, oppositely extending trunnions carriedI by said board, and supporting means for said trunnions, said supporting, means being so constructed and arranged that said board might be horizontally adjusted lengthwise of said horizontal vwall with the typewriter in an operative position forwardly of said well, or said .board may be inverted to suspendingly support the typewriter in said Well with said board closing the open end of said well.

3.A A desk comprising a body formed of opposite side walls, a rear wall, a top hinged to said rear wall, a horizontal wall secured between said side walls adjacent the upper portions thereof and projecting forwardly of said side walls, an upwardly opening typewriter well between said side walls, said well having one side horizontal and secured to said rear wall and the other side thereof verticaland secured to the rear portion of said horizontal wall, a -base board for attach ment to n typewriter, horizontally disposed inwardly facing channelled guides carried by said side walls, and oppositely extending trunnions carried by said board loosely engaging in said guides, said trunnions and guides providing means whereby said board is pivotally supported between said side walls, and said board may be adjusted from an operative position overlying said horizontal wall to an inverted inoperative position rearwardly of said latter wall and closing said well.

4. A desk comprising a body formed of opposite side walls, a rear wall, a top hinged to said rear wall, a horizontal wall secured between said side walls adjacent the upper portions thereof and projecting forwardly of said side walls, an upwardly opening typewriter well between said side walls, said well having one side horizontal and secured to said rear wall and the other side thereof vertical and secured to the rear portion of said horizontal wall, a base board for attachment to a typewriter, horizontally disposed inwardly facing channelled guides carried by said side walls, oppositely extending trunnions carried by` said board loosely engaging in said guides, said guides having upwardly offset forward portions, and a pair of rails carried by said horizontal wall engagea-ble by said board when the latter is in an operative -position for supporting said board in a manner to hold said trunnions in a disengaged position with respect to said guides.

5. A desk comprising a body formed of opposite side walls, a rear wall, a top hinged to said rear wall, a horizontal wall secured between said side walls adjacent the upper portions thereof and projecting forwardly of said side walls, side wall extensions secured to the opposite sides of said horizontal wall and extending upwardly4 therefrom, a pair of horizontal rails secured to the inner sides of said side walls, a base board between said rails, and means pivotally and slidably supporting said base board between said rails.

6". A desk comprising a body formed of opposite side walls, a rear wall, a top `hinged to said rear f inner sides of said side walls, a base board between said rails and formed with elongated guide channels, and means slidably and pivotally supporting said base board between said rails whereby said base board may be shifted forwardly and lengthwise of said rails to disposesaid base board ina position overlying said horizontal wall or may be rearwardly and subsequently reverted to position said base board rearwardly of saidhorizontal wall. f

'7. A desk comprising a body formed of opposite side walls, a rear wall, a top hinged to said rear wall, a horizontal wall secured between said side walls adjacent Ythe upper portions thereof and f projecting forwardly of said side walls, side wall extensions secured to the opposite sides of lsaid horizontal wall and extending upwardly therefrom, a pair of horizontal rails secured to theinner sides of said side Walls formed with elongated guide channels, a base board between said rails', means slidably and pivotally engaging in said channels supporting said base board between said rails whereb-y said base board may be shifted 8. A desk comprising a body formed of opposite side walls, a rear wall, a top hinged to said rear wall, a horizontal wall secured between said side walls adjacent the up-per portions thereof and projecting forwardly of said side walls, side wall extensions secured to the opposite sides of said horizontal wall and extending upwardly therefrom, a pair of horizontal rails secured to the inner sides of said side walls formed with elonnels, trunnions carried by said base board and gated guide channels, a base board between said engageable in selected notches to thereby posi` tion said base board longitudinally of said rails, and means carried by said horizontal wall for raising said trunnions from contact with the lower walls of said channels when said base board is in forwardly disposed operative position.

9. A desk comprising a body formed of opposite side walls, a rear wall, a top hinged to said rear wall, 'a horizontal wall secured between said side walls, adjacent the upper portions thereof and 4projecting forwardly of said side walls, side wall extensions secured to the opposite sides of said horizontal wall and extending upwardly therefrom, a pair of horizontal rails secured to the inner sides of said side walls, a base board between said rails, each rail having an elongated slot therein with the forward portion of each slot wider than the rear portion, trunnions carried by said base board engaging in said slots, and up- -standing guide members fixed to said horizontal wall and adapted to support said base board with said trunnions disengaged from the lower walls of said slots.

l0. A desk comprising'a body formed of oppoj slot wider than the rear portion, trunnions carried by' said base board engaging in said slots, upstanding guide members fixed to said horizontal wall and adapted to support said base board with said trunnions disengaged from the lower walls of said slots, each rail having a recess in the lower wall of a slot rearwardly of said base board when the latter is supported by said guide members and withinwhich said trunnionsl are engageable, and a stop member carried by each rail rearwardly of said recess.

- WILLIAM J. BARGEN. 

